Board approves expanded uses for Inspired Acres with limits on events and parking variance

The Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals on April 2 approved a modification to the Type 2 use for Inspired Acres, a therapeutic equine facility at 1743 Doncaster Road, and a related variance to allow two off‑site overflow parking areas, subject to conditions intended to limit neighborhood impacts.

The change to the Type 2 use passed 6–1 after public testimony both supporting and opposing the proposal; the off‑site parking variance passed 7–0. The board’s Type 2 approval included limits the board imposed in its motion: no amplified music oriented toward residences, a limit of six large community events annually (reduced from eight in the applicant’s request), and a limit of two medium events per month (reduced from three).

The modification would allow Inspired Acres to expand programming beyond the equine therapeutic sessions previously authorized. Jamie Mayer, an attorney representing the applicant, said the requested change would let the nonprofit offer additional community and club‑style programming such as adaptive dance, craft workshops and small private events while relying primarily on existing structures. Mayer said: “We’re not coming here today for a different use… The proposal is to diversify the range of programming that they can provide to the same individuals that they currently serve.”

Applicant representatives described the facility’s operations and finances during the hearing. Phil de Blasio, who participated in the presentation, said medium events would be capped at about 40 attendees and that regular equine therapy sessions — the facility’s core programs — would continue unchanged. Supporters who spoke at the hearing emphasized beneficial outcomes for people with special needs: Mikey Johnson told the board, “It is a peaceful place. It is calming, beautiful, amazing,” and several family members described recurring benefits they said their relatives receive from the program.

Opponents told the board they support the therapeutic programs but fear increased noise, traffic and safety impacts if special events are expanded. Janet Muscolina, who lives three properties from the facility, said video she provided showed an auction event’s noise carrying into her home and argued the March 6 event “would be considered unlawful” under the county noise standard cited in her submission (chapter 58, article 12, 72 dB measured at the nearest adjacent property line during daytime hours). Neighbors raised additional concerns about narrow unincorporated roads, on‑street parking, and emergency services access.

Staff presentations and the applicant’s packet described how the variance and Type 2 change would work together. Staff said the site has 18 on‑site spaces and that the applicant arranged agreements with two off‑site facilities — Belcher Elementary School and Temple Bani Israel — to provide about 224 additional spaces for medium/large events; both off‑site lots are about 1,700 feet from the site, exceeding the county’s 600‑foot proximity rule and prompting the variance. The applicant said shuttle service (a sprinter‑van type courtesy shuttle) would be used to move guests from off‑site lots to the site and that no new on‑site paving would be added.

Board members said they visited the site and heard residents’ concerns; the motion to approve the Type 2 application was made by Mr. Baumstein and seconded by Mr. Warner. In explaining his motion, Baumstein said he had toured the neighborhood, called the site “a lovely, quiet neighborhood,” and recommended the reduced event limits and the explicit no‑amplified‑sound condition. The Type 2 vote passed 6–1. The separate motion to approve the off‑site parking variance (finding the off‑site parking preferable to new on‑site paving and less disruptive to environmental features) passed 7–0, with a motion by Mr. Baumstein and second by Mr. Bello.

The board and staff discussed enforcement and follow‑up: staff said temporary‑use and special event permits remain available under county code (60 days per calendar year under the temporary‑use rules) and that code enforcement could monitor complaints; board members noted the Type 2 approval can be revisited if conditions are violated and asked staff to track complaints for possible revocation or modification.

Votes on the two Inspired Acres items were the most contested on the agenda. The board approved the Type 2 use with the specific conditions described above and approved the variance to allow off‑site parking at the two named locations with the applicant’s proposed shuttle arrangements. The applicant and opponents were told that conditions and code enforcement would be the mechanisms to address future noise or parking complaints.

The board’s decisions preserve the facility’s existing therapeutic programs while allowing a broader set of fundraising and community uses under specified limits; neighbors who opposed the expansion said they remain concerned about noise and traffic and emphasized the need for enforcement if problems occur.